LOS ANGELES — Thanks to a series of donations and a university matching fund, UCLA announced today the creation of the Jackie R. Robinson Centennial Scholars Endowed Scholarships that will support students participating in the four sports Robinson played while attending the school.
The $1 million scholarship fund will offer support scholarships to students involved in men’s baseball, track-and-field, football and basketball. The scholarship fund was created through donations by “local philanthropists” and funds from the UCLA Chancellor’s Centennial Scholars Match.
“Jackie Robinson was a difference-maker on so many levels, and he continues to inspire and touch the lives of generations to come,” UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said. “His famous quote — ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives’ — could not ring more true, and these generous gifts are proof of that. To be able to honor his legacy while supporting the education of student-athletes its truly remarkable, and we are grateful to all those involved who made this happen.”
Recipients of the scholarships can participate in any one or combination of the four sports, said UCLA spokeswoman Liza David.
Robinson, a four-sport athlete at UCLA from 1939-41, is famed for breaking the Major League Baseball color barrier.
